Obituary of Lawrence Leach

Lawrence (Larry) Leach was born June 30, 1929 in Wichita, KS to Leonard and Hazel Leach. He went to the Lord on August 1, 2011, at the age of 82. At the age of 13, he moved to the old family farm in Poysippi, Wisconsin. For the next three years, which he considered the highlights of his young life, were filled with hunting, fishing, tending to the farm animals and attending an agricultural oriented high school. At 16, he and his family moved to Kent, WA, where he graduated from high school. At the young age of 17, he joined the United States Navy, completed radio school at 19, and then spent the next 39 months in the Western, Central and Southern Pacific. Upon returning to the states, he relocated to Northern California and attended California State University, Chico in 1957. Soon after, he purchased the Land Man Real Estate Firm in Oroville, CA, where he was both a broker and an appraiser, which led to a career with Butte County as an appraiser for almost 20 years. He retired from Butte County in 1986 as the County Assessor. In 1971, he married Beppie Marler, whom he was married to for almost 40 years. Larry enjoyed many hobbies, which included fishing, golfing, wood working, stained glass, and traveling. Although Larry visited all 50 states plus many countries and continents throughout the world, his favorite destinations that held such special places in his heart were Larry and Beppie's homes in Lake Almanor and Tucson, AZ. Throughout his life, Larry was involved in many organizations: Oroville Board of Realtors, American Legion, Oroville Exchange Club, Chico Breakfast Exchange Club, Durham Exchange Club, Durham Good Sam's RV Club, The Elks Club Chester, Branch 84 of the Sons in Retirement, S.T.A.R.S., and the Butte County Honorary Deputy Sheriffs Association. Larry was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John, and son, Steve of Oregon. He leaves behind his wife, Beppie; his children, Ken Leach (Denise) of Missouri, Sherri (David) Armstrong of New Mexico, Mike Leach of Texas, Philip Leach of Texas, John (Annette) Marler of Montana, and Debbie Marler (Greg) Ilukowicz of Chico. He also leaves 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. A Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 4, 2011 at Brusie' Funeral Home. The Funeral will be held at Our Divine Savior, Friday, Aug. 5th at 10:00 a.m. Contributions, in memory of Larry, can be made to the Butte County S.T.A.R.S., c/o Brusie Funeral Home. Larry was loved by many and will be missed but he will live forever in our hearts and our memories.